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Emanuel Peterfreund's purpose in writing this book is stated in the preface, as follows:
This book is offered as a contribution to the understanding of the psychoanalytic therapeutic process. It is an effort to update the state of the art. Its content is basically clinical, and it is addressed to those who work with patients and are constantly asking themselves: What is going on? What can I say or do that will be helpful? I am attempting to make a clinical statement, articulate a clinical point of view, advocate a clinical approach. (p. ix)
The book reads very well, is clearly organized, and presents clinical material in support of its author's claims. It is divided into five main sections (stereotyped approaches to psychoanalytic therapy; a heuristic approach to psychoanalytic therapy; case illustrations of the heuristic approach; strategies used in the therapeutic process; and evidence, explanation, and effectiveness).
Peterfreund begins by giving case illustrations—courageously his own as well as from the literature—of stereotyped approaches to psychoanalytic therapy. This critique is quite convincing. Indeed, wooden technique, interpretation by rote, the neglect of evidence all abound. Attendence at typical clinical conferences can testify to the accuracy of his portrayals. His voice, then, joins a growing chorus of those who would reform psychoanalytic technique, a chorus though of discordant voices since each sings a different tune.